Witches and wizards, superheroes and princesses, skeletons and goblins and all the rest are counting down the days until Halloween at Tapley’s Farm.
To prepare for the big day the Halloween hosts are looking for donations of treats.
Candy can be dropped off at Myrtle Philip Community School, the Whistler Children’s Centres at Spring Creek and Lorimer Road and at 6388 Easy Street. The candy will be collected until Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Between 600 and 800 costumed kids are expected to come to the neighbourhood on Friday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Tapley’s Farm has long been the place where Whistler kids can trick or treat and roughly 100 houses participate in the annual event.
As in previous years the streets will be blocked to keep vehicles out and trick or treaters safe. Families can park at Myrtle Philip School or at the Marketplace parking lot, where they can hop on a free shuttle to Tapley’s Farm. There will be no parking on Lorimer Road this year.
The Gobblin Express Park and Spook is a co-operative effort of the municipality, Whistler Transit, FastPark and Marketplace and intended to increase safety on Halloween.
The shuttle will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 10 minute intervals and will service both trick and treaters and people going to the fireworks.
"As we have two transit busses available we can run a constant service with very short waits. We should have the capacity to transport everyone back after the fireworks very quickly," said organizer Jim Watts.
Bus drivers will be accepting food bank donations in lieu of the bus fare and the two-hour Marketplace parking limit will not be enforced.
If you’re not the trick or treating type, you can saunter through Tapley’s checking out the Halloween houses, which will be competing in a contest for best-dressed house. Or you can head to the fields at Myrtle Philip for the fireworks display at 8 p.m.
Halloween Fire Safety
Whistler firefighters will donate their time and Nesters is donating fireworks for the annual Halloween display at the school.
Whistler’s fire department encourages residents and guests to come to the fireworks display where they can be safe and have fun at the same time.
Every year there are people in B.C. who are seriously injured by fireworks.
Fire Chief Bruce Hall said fireworks must be used responsibly.
"When they’re used safely they don’t present a hazard," he said.
"But people need to be aware that in effect they’re dealing with an explosive device."
All fireworks at the school display will be handled by experienced firefighters.
Also parents are reminded to buy costumes that are flame resistant and do not have long trailing pieces which could easily ignite.
Children should not carry candles as a light source so make sure the batteries and flashlights are ready on Oct. 31.
Combustible Halloween decorations like crepe paper, cornstalks and dried flowers should also be kept away from heat sources.
Be Seen on Halloween
The Whistler Eye Clinic in Marketplace is providing free "Eye See" reflective stickers to make sure kids are visible on Halloween.
"The number one safety issue facing kids at Halloween is visibility to vehicles when crossing the street," says the president of the B.C. Association of Optometrists, Dr. Mary Lou Riederer.
Statistics indicate about 10 per cent of all pedestrian injuries involve six- to 15-year-old children and occur between 3 and 7 p.m.
Prep for Halloween in Pemberton
Get in the mood for Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 25 in Pemberton at a family fun night in the Pemberton Community Centre.
There will be a haunted house, face painting, games, food, fortune telling and ooey-gooey stations!
Bring your own pumpkin for the pumpkin carving contest or buy one there.
The evening runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 for families and $5 for individuals. Call 604-894-2340.
